INTRODUCTION

Sharabha also called as Sarabeswarar is a form of Lord Shiva, who took the avatar of Sharabha in order to pacify Lord Narasimha, a Vishnu avatar. This happened in the first Satya Yuga also called as Krita Yuga.

During the first Satya Yuga, the powerful demon Hiranyakashipu was killed by Lord Narasimha. Even after killing him, Lord Narasimha could not control his anger. Due to the intervention of his staunch devotee Sri BhaktaPrahalada, he has relieved from his anger to some extent, but he couldn’t control his entire anger. On seeing the ferocious Narasimha, all the divine devas including Mata Lakshmi were afraid, and they were unable to pacify him. At that time, everyone had prayed to Lord Shiva to cool down Lord Narasimha. Lord Shiva immediately took the Saraba Avatar, a form of Yazhi bird with lions head, and contains eagle feathers. He contains more powers than that of Lord Narasimha, and through his powers he pressed Lord Narasimha on his body, and made him to recognize that he is the Protector god Vishnu.

After getting the divine touch of Lord Sarabeswara, Lord Narasimha had become pacified, and he worshipped Lord Saraba along with other gods and goddesses. Later Saraba blessed all the gods and goddesses and also hugged the great Vishnu devotee BhaktaPrahalada on his hands, and after some time, he took his normal form as Shiva, and went to Mount Kailash.

Among the few temples of Lord Sarabeswara, Sarabeswara Temple situated at Thirubuvanam is considered as a very sacred place.

“OM”

WRITTEN BY R.HARISHANKAR